Upcoming research symposium and UCT Press relaunch

Dear colleagues

The University of Cape Town (UCT) is proud of its position as the top global research university on the continent – recognised for its impact, excellence and relevance. UCT’s Vision 2030 challenges UCT researchers to build knowledge in, for and from Africa in a manner that contributes towards redefining and co-creating a sustainable global future. As such, our researchers make choices around the kind of research they take on, where to focus, how to go about doing the research and how to balance new knowledge generation with making our research impactful and accessible. Increasingly, we are seeking ways to build, value and disseminate the research that delivers on our Vision 2030.

To this end I write to share with you two exciting opportunities coming up this month which researchers can join to learn more about research projects, practices and publishing experiences at UCT. 

Sustainable research impact symposium

The research symposium will take place on Wednesday, 18 October 2023. The theme for this year’s symposium is “Sustainable research impact: sharing practices and experiences”.

Emerging and established researchers will reflect on why and how they deliver impactful, sustainable and socially responsive research.

• Time: 08:30–14:00
• Format: In-person
• Venue: Auditorium, Neville Alexander Building, School of Education, 6 Lovers Walk, Lower Campus
• Please RSVP to attend the symposium.

Through the symposium and beyond, we will enhance our showcasing of research impact at UCT, build up a repository of valuable approaches around research impact, and enhance researchers’ skills to deliver impactful research.

UCT Press relaunch

The day after the research symposium, on Thursday 19 October 2023, we will proudly relaunch UCT Press.

The UCT Press was launched in 1994. However, due to operating constraints, in 1998 Juta Publishing were asked to run it. After 23 years, the UCT Press imprint has returned to UCT and is now located at, and operated through UCT Libraries.

• Read the DVC Desk: UCT Press returns home.

Join the UCT Press Board as we reflect on open publishing to advance access to knowledge and impact.

A keynote address will be delivered by former UCT Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Professor Crain Soudien. This will be preceded by a short panel discussion.

• Time: 13:30–15:30
• Format: Hybrid, with limited venue capacity
• Venue: Level 6, Hlanganani Junction, Chancellor Oppenheimer Library (Main Library), Upper Campus
• Please RSVP to attend the relaunch.

Impactful knowledge creation requires us to unleash knowledge in and from Africa. The symposium and the UCT Press relaunch will focus our attention on how we can work collaboratively, inter-, multi- and transdisciplinarily to solve complex problems, support one another and widely share our research.

I hope you will join us at these valuable events.

Sincerely

Professor Sue Harrison 
Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research and Internationalisation 

Read previous communications:

• From the UCT Executive
• Campus Announcements